Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm sure Microsoft announced this date back at E3 or the earlier conference. I remember hearing that the November 15th release of the PS4 was earlier than the announced release for the next Xbox. It might just be a mis-remembered memory, but I'm certain that this is not the first time I've heard this release date.

They kept their launch close to the PS4 and therefore avoid giving that system too much mindshare as the main headline when reporting about next gen consoles.

Its a bit of a tradeoff if it makes sense going first or second when launching these consoles. On the one hand you have the first mover advantage, on the other its an opportunity to let another company make some mistakes that you can avoid when launching a new product.

Its amazing how companies with experience launching products still havent quite mastered it or make silly mistakes.

I hope it goes well for both systems. I am leaning more PS4 than Xbox but I don't plan to buy this year. Its comparing 'we are giving gamers what they wanted all along because we took time to know in advance' vs 'we changed to what players wanted based on feedback'. Its hard to decide which means more to me. Plenty of time to change my mind if there is bountiful compelling reasons to do so.

The 22nd is a Friday, so you are hopefully talking about using up some PTO time the next week. Never use vacation time on a launch day, it is far too likely to result in you staring at a connection screen for a few hours while someone gets their melting servers sorted out.

Trying to make a salient point then making a quip like that just defeats it.

Anywho, same day, a month later, whatever - as long as its before xmas these release dates don't really matter. If you are only buying one system, you have already made up your mind. And by the time there would be any kind of stock on a shelf, it'll be the middle of December or later and even then I don't think it's an impulse purchase.

Gah! This puts me in a personal pickle, having pre-ordered both systems. I was hoping the X1 would launch first, get a chance to evaluate it, and if it really ended up not living up to my expectations, transitioning over to the PS4. Now I kind of have to make that leap blindly, or keep the PS4 unopened for a week until the X1 shows up. Which may not be a bad idea, because there may be some resell value ramping up to Xmas if I do decide to not keep the PS4...

Gah! This puts me in a personal pickle, having pre-ordered both systems. I was hoping the X1 would launch first, get a chance to evaluate it, and if it really ended up not living up to my expectations, transitioning over to the PS4. Now I kind of have to make that leap blindly, or keep the PS4 unopened for a week until the X1 shows up. Which may not be a bad idea, because there may be some resell value ramping up to Xmas if I do decide to not keep the PS4...

Gah! This puts me in a personal pickle, having pre-ordered both systems. I was hoping the X1 would launch first, get a chance to evaluate it, and if it really ended up not living up to my expectations, transitioning over to the PS4. Now I kind of have to make that leap blindly, or keep the PS4 unopened for a week until the X1 shows up. Which may not be a bad idea, because there may be some resell value ramping up to Xmas if I do decide to not keep the PS4...

So your plan was:Get the Xbox first, use it, evaluate it, decide to keep it/sell it and go with the PS4

Why do you have to keep the PS4 unopened for a week?Why can't you stick to the original plan but change the consoles around?

Get the PS4 first, use it, evaluate it, decide to keep it/sell it and go with the Xbox. Simple.

Whichever console you decide to sell will still get a good price (almost certainly making you a profit) even if it's opened and 'tested'

I'm getting the launch day version of both consoles. I plan on selling them both and repurchasing next year. : )

Is everybody assuming limited supplies being sold out so used/third party seller prices go high? Trying to figure out how people are planning on making a profit here.

It's a common pattern at launch of a new console.

Early production mainly goes to those who pre-ordered many months ago, so those who did not pre-order but still want one NOW must pay a premium.Some pre-orders will never be used by the original purchaser, but will be immediately sold for a profit.

The window of opportunity can be small though - over time the supply/demand equation begins to balance off as more units become available. Or maybe a console is a flop (Wii U anyone?).

Great, now I'm waiting for the news that Sony somehow sniped Turn 10 away from MS, and Forza 5 will no longer be coming out on the One That is the next logical step in MS botching their PR for this gen, right?

I'm surprised to see how many people are chomping at the bit for *either* of these consoles. I haven't seen any news about either one to be that excited -- especially in the case of exclusive day-1 launch releases. I'm definitely waiting until next year, and maybe longer. My PC and 360 backlog is already long enough anyway without the new shiny.

I'm surprised to see how many people are chomping at the bit for *either* of these consoles. I haven't seen any news about either one to be that excited -- especially in the case of exclusive day-1 launch releases. I'm definitely waiting until next year, and maybe longer. My PC and 360 backlog is already long enough anyway without the new shiny.

I agree, the system comes the day before my birthday and I am not interested. In fact I have not even played my 360 in weeks, there are no games that have interested me in some time. Maybe GTA V will make turn my system back on.

Launch releases have always been pretty lame and the systems usually do not show their potential until they have been out for some time.

Wow, Microsoft is really crapping all over Japan with this aren't they? You're getting your console...maybe a year late, we don't know for sure. Seems like a pretty good strategy to make sure the Japanese (including the Japanese developers!) ignore the console even harder than they ignored the 360.

Wow, Microsoft is really crapping all over Japan with this aren't they? You're getting your console...maybe a year late, we don't know for sure. Seems like a pretty good strategy to make sure the Japanese (including the Japanese developers!) ignore the console even harder than they ignored the 360.

There is still no release date known for the PS4 either in Japan. Although Sony has Japan in the basket. Would like to know some release dates.

This release date does not surprise me all too much. Although I do think it is too close to Black Friday. The issue Microsoft had is that Sony did a very good job in planning their release date. November 15th is far enough from Black Friday to where they will get the release day surge followed by another surge in Black Friday. If too close, some may hold off on getting it release day and get on Black Friday (or vise versa).

With Sony choosing that date, Microsoft probably realizes that they cannot compete at the same time as the Playstation 4. Which is why they could not be too close to the Playstation 4's release date. Having it earlier would probably be tough and maybe cause issues with supply. So in the end, Microsoft has chosen right in the middle of the two. November 15th for Playstation 4, seven days later (22nd) for the Box, and then seven days for Black Friday. Smack-dab in the middle of those two important dates.

I do wonder though, why did Microsoft wait so long to announce their release date? Just feels like the Box was announced earlier than Playstation 4, we have had so many announcements pertaining to the console, and only now it was mentioned. At least for myself personally, the hype and significance seems too late, I think they wait too long. It should have been a major deal but nothing special sadly enough.

I've felt like Microsoft is just behind on the development for the XBone, and that's why they seem like they're scrambling to get everything done at the last minute. I would not be surprised at all if the people who get one on the 22 find themselves with a console full of rough edges that will take a few months worth of patching to smooth over.

I still think Microsoft have shot themselves in the foot by not launching worldwide. Just look at the PS3 for proof and horror stories of how a 1 year delayed launch can really fuck things up for several years to come. A supremely weak Japan showing also means that Japanese devs might be even more reluctant to release their particular flavor of gaming on the Xbone than on the 360. And let's not kid ourselves, the Japanese games still matter a lot.

...I do wonder though, why did Microsoft wait so long to announce their release date? Just feels like the Box was announced earlier than Playstation 4, we have had so many announcements pertaining to the console, and only now it was mentioned. At least for myself personally, the hype and significance seems too late, I think they wait too long. It should have been a major deal but nothing special sadly enough.

While you and I and readers of ars and other tech and gaming sites hang on every scrap of information which leaks out, most of the eventual buyers of the Xbox One and PS4 this holiday season are probably just waking up to the idea that new systems are coming out.

There will be an advertising blitz leading up to the launch dates which will inform the masses about these new amazing devices and all the magical new things they can do.. and why they MUST have one.. The one week difference in launch shouldn’t make too much difference and both companies are probably hoping everything will be sold out so that Black Friday won’t matter much either way.

Black Friday has turned into a way to fight a huge crowd to buy a $55 DVD player for $30 and most people don’t generally delay specific large purchases because big ticket items are limited and sell out immediately. I’m sure Best Buy and some other retailers will hold back some stock.. “guaranteed 5 in stock per store” or some such.. To lure shoppers to their sales but I don’t think Black Friday will matter much in terms of moving additional systems which would not otherwise have sold in the same time frame.